Body support for use in shampooing, hair washing and the like



June 20, 1961 M. c. coRvELLl 2,988,753

BODY SUPPORT FOR USE IN sHAMPooING, HAIR WASHING AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 14, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Mario C. Corvalli wf/QJ ATTORNEY;

June 20, 1961 M. c. coRvELLl 2,988,753

BODY SUPPORT FOR USE IN SHAMPOOING, HAIR WASHING AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 14, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mario C. Corvelli tts ate .f

2,988,753 Patented June 20, 1961 Vice 2,988,753 BODY SUPPORT FOR USE IN SHAMPOOING, HAIR WASHING AND THE LIKE Maria C. Corvelli, 512 Crestwood View, Alexandria, Va. Filed Jan. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 2,454 4 Claims. (Cl. 4-159) This invention relates to supports and more particularly to a horizontally extensible, folding legs-equipped support, which may be associated with a bath tub, for supporting the body of an individual ywith the head of the individual overhanging the tub so that the hair of the head may be treated, as by washing or shampooing, whereby liquids used in the treatment and foreign matter carried by the liquids will descend into the tub.

An important object of the invention is to provide a support, as described, which may be adjusted horizontally so as to accommodate the bodies of individuals of various lengths and the support, when not in use, may be telescoped so that it may be set up on edge to extend upwardly but a relatively short distance, or may be disposed substantially horizontally on a short shelf so that ti will occupy but a relatively short length of shelf space.

Another important object is to provide, a support as described above, which is provided wtih substantially L- shaped side llanges, for strengthening the forward half section of the body of the support, which carries the greater weight of the body of an individual, which llanges have dual functions, since they provide barriers for preventing extension of the folding legs of the support when the support is telescoped such as when not in use.

An additional important object is to provide a support as described, which is sturdy, yet light in weight, and may be readily manufactured from relatively inexpensive material, so that it may be marketed at a reasonable price.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming portions of this disclosure, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, carried, at one end, on the rim of a bath tub, with an individual lying upon the support.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the two telescopic support sections of the support.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the folded support as when collapsed and not in use.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional View, substantially on the line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the rearward end of the support, with the legs there folded.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section substantially on the line 6 6 of FIG. 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A designates the support; B, a bath tub partly supporting the support, and C an individual disposed upon the support A.

The support A includes a body-supporting surface of two telescoping sections 10 and 11, with the first or forward section 10 having an elongate body portion 12, preferably of rectangular shape, with a preferably substantially ilat upper face 13 when the support is in use. Extending from the side edges of the body portion 12 are a pair of first elongate flanges 14, substantially L-shaped in transverse section. The flanges substantially parallel each other, with their portions 15 being substantially normal to and integral with the body portion 12 and their inturned portions body portion so that, with the adjacent parts of the body portion, the flanges define two three-sided compartments 16 being substantially parallel with this 70 17 with their longitudinally-extending openings or mouths facing each other. The rearward ends of the compartments 17 are open as may be seen in FIG. 3, but the forward ends of the compartments are preferably closed by a flange 18 integral with the body portion 12. This flange 18 extends along the forward end edge of the body portion.

Preferably carried by the flanges 14 and 18 of the body portion 12, at its forward end part, is brace means 2t) which also provides a support for means 21 to support the body portion 12 above a surface. This surface may be, for example, the upper rim of a bath tub B. The means 20 may be an elongate cross member, with a face 22 which is the lower face of the member when the support A is in use.

Extending downwardly, from the face 22, preferably a pair of suction cups,

and grip the rim when the support is in use. The cross member preferably extends outwardly beyond the sides of the body portion 12.

Carried upon the upper face 13 of the body portion 12 at the forward end portion of the latter and secured to the latter in any approved way, such as by waterproof adhesive 25, is a suitable resilient cushioning means 26 which may be a rectangular length of foam rubber, adapted to support the back of the neck in the region of substantially all of the cervical vertebrae of the individual C lying upon the support A. I prefer this rectangular length of material to extend the entire width of the body portion, whereby there is provided a barrier thereby against water or other liquid, shampoo suds and the like from reaching the body of the individual or the 10, even if the support means renders the position of the individual especially comfortable.

In FIG. 3, for example, it will be seen that the flange 18, cross member of the brace means 20 and the adjacent part of the body portion 12 provide a second compartment 27 fora purpose later detailed.

Referring now to the telescoping section 11, the same includes an elongate body portion 30 which is preferably rectangular land slightly less in width thanthe width of the body portion 12. The body portion 30 has an upper, preferably ilat, smooth face 31 and a second pair of flanges 32 at its side edges adapted to slide over the inner rfaces of the flange portions 15, preferably with some frictional resistance so that the two sections will be restrained against accidently sliding apart.

It will be noted, such as in FIG. 3, that there .is provided -an end flange or wall 33 at the rearward end of the section 11 land carried thereby. This flange or wall extends to `and slightly beyond the planes of the outer faces of the flanges 32 as well as the plane of the face 31 and the planes of the longitudinal -edges of the ilanges 32 so that when the two sections 10 and 11 are fully telescoped, the outwardly projecting edge portions of the flange or wall 33 will abut the rearward edge 28 of the body portion 12 and the rearward edges of the L-shaped flanges 14. This construction of the flange or wall 33 provides -a tight closure at the end of the telescoped or collapsed sections, since the body portions 11 and 12 then form two walls with the flange 33 forming a third wall. Hence, when the supportis positioned las in FIG. 3, such as leaning against a vertical support, as a wall, and the flange or wall 33 is lOWermost, disposed upon a iloor, for example, the interior of the structure is wholly closed and protected, since the ilange 13 then closes the other end of the telescoped or collapsed support.

The sections and 11 may be of metal, hardened plastic materials or wood or combinations of these.

Means 35 to support the rearward end of the support A are shown as a plurality of legs 36 which may be of metal or wood and provided with anti-slipping and antirnarring means 37 at their free ends, such as resilient pads of rubber or the like, secured to the free ends of the legs by any approved means. For example, with the legs hollow, at least at their bottom portions, the pads may have projections 38 fitting tightly into the hollows.

Means 40 to hingedly support the legs 36 to the flanges 32 for example may be an elongate pintle 41. with its ends enlarged and carried by yand recessed in the flanges 32 through which flanges the pintle extends transversely and extends through suitable openings in the inner end portions of the legs for the legs to swing thereon. Suitable riction and spacing means 42 may be provided to space the legs, when collapsed, from the flanges 32 so that, in each space between -a collapsed leg and the adjacent llange 32, there may be accommodated a conventional folding leg brace 45. The spacing and friction means are preferably felt or rubber washers. In order to space the legs 36 land form a rigid connection between tlrem, I prefer to provide a metallic 'sleeve 43 surrounding the pintle 41 and secured, as by welding, as at 44, to the legs.

An important function of the L-shaped flanges 14 is that their poitions 16, which parallel the Ibody portion 12, prevent accidental opening out of the legs when they are collapsed and the support is disposed in FIG. 3 or when it may be raised from a horizontal position with the collapsed legs undermost. It is well known that, unless a very efficient means is provided to retain legs, of tables and other like support, collapsed, the legs frequently accidently extend themselves.

The folding leg braces 45 are of well known conventional construction so that, when the legs are extended, they are retained against accidental collapsing. One leaf 46 of each brace is pivotally carried, at one end portion thereof by a flange 32 and the other leaf 47 of each brace is pivotally carried, at one end portion thereof, by a leg 36 with the other end portions of the brace pivotally connected together, as by the pivot member 48, as is well known in the art.

It is sometimes desirable to prevent accidental movement of the sections 10 and 11 as when the support is extended to almost it maximum limits. Latch means 50 may be provided and comprise a detent 51 which may be spring-urged as by a leaf spring '52 toi which it is secured at the free end of the latter, to extend into a suitable yopening `53: sin at least one portion 15 of a flange 14 and from thence into lany one of spaced-apart openings 54 in a flange 32 of the section 11. The spring may be manipulated by the finger nail, for example, of an operator to draw the detent 51 from any opening 54 in order to eflect telescoping olf the sections `or withdrawal of the section 11 from the section 10.

The sections 10 and 11 of the support A may be extended so as to accommodate the individual C substantially as shown in FIG. l, after the legs 36 are swung into operative position and braced, 'and the means 21 (in the example shown, the suction cups) are applied to the upper edge 60 of a bath tub B. Whether the body portions 12 and 30 are exactly horizontal or not are not necessary. Even if tilted somewhat, liquids used in shampooing will not contact the body of the individual because `of the cushioning means 26 disposed as described.

The L-shaped flanges 14 provide safe support against sagging `or collapse of the body portion 12, where the greater weight of the body of the individual upon the support is centered and they additionally function as partial housings for the folded legs 36.

Various changes inthe size, shape land arrangement of parts of this invention may `be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A support for the human body while shampooing, including two telescoping body sections providing support for the human body, one section being provided with a first elongate body portion and a pair `of first flanges, substantially L-shaped in transverse section, extending along the side of said body portion and projecting downwardlf)l and inwardly when said body portion is disposed horizontally with said first flanges and the parts of said body portion adjacent thereto defining a pair of elongate compartments, the other section being provided with a second elongate body portion and a pair of second flanges extending along the sides of said second body portion and slidably extending into said compartments, with the longitudinal edges of said second flanges slidably contacting said first flanges; legs; means pivotally supporting said legs upon the rearward end portion of said second flanges, inwardly of said second flanges; and means to releasably retain said legs in extended positions with their longitudinal axes' substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said second body portion; said legs when collapsed, being axially aligned with the longitudinal axes of said compartments and being slidable into said compartments upon sliding of said second flanges therein.

2. A support for the human body while shampooing, including two telescoping body sections providing support for the human body, one section being provided with a first elongate body portion, having an upper face, sides, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of first flanges, substantially L-shaped in transverse section, extending along the sides of said body portion and projecting downwardly and inwardly when said body portion is disposed horizontally, with said first flanges and the parts of said body portion adjacent thereto defining a pair of elongate compartments, the other section being provided with a second elongate body portion and a pair of second flanges extending along the sides of said second body portion and slidably extending into said compartments, with the longitudinal edges of said second flanges slidably contacting said first flanges; legs; means pivotally supporting said legs upon the rearward end portion of said second flanges, inwardly of said second flanges; means to releasably retain said legs in extended positions with their longitudinal axes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said second body portion; said legs, when collapsed, being axially aligned with the longitudinal axes of said compartments and being slidable into said compartments upon sliding of said second flanges therein; and neck-supporting means extending from said upper face adjacent said front edge.

3. A support for the human body while shampooing, including two telescoping body sections providing support for the human body, one section being provided with a first elongate body portion, having an upper face, sides, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of first flanges, substantially L-shaped in transverse section, extending along the sides of said body portion and projecting downwardly and inwardly when said body portion is disposed horizontally and provided with end edges, with said first flanges and the parts of said body portion adjacent thereto defining a pair of elongate compartments, the other section being provided with a second elongate body portion and a pair of second flanges extending along the sides of said second body portion and slidably extending into said compartments, with the longitudinal edges of said second flanges slidably contacting said first flanges said second body portion having an end flange, legs; means pivotally supporting said legs upon the rearward end portion of said second flanges, inwardly of said second flanges; means to releasably retain said legs in extended positions with their longitudinal axes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said s'econd body portion; said legs, when collapsed, being axially aligned with the longitudinal axes of said compartments and being slidable into said compartments upon sliding of said second flanges therein; and neck-supporting means extending from said upper face adjacent said front edge, said end flange overlapping, in face contact, said rear edge of said trst body portion and two of said edges of said first flanges when said legs are disposed within said compartments.

4. A support for the human ybody while shampooing, including two telescoping body sections providing support for the human body, one section being provided with a first elongate body portion, having an upper face, sides, a front edge and a -rear edge, and a pair of first ilanges, substantially L-shaped in transverse section, extending along the sides of said body portion and projecting downwardly and inwardly when said body portion is disposed horizontally, with said first ilanges and the parts of said body portion adjacent thereto dening a pair of elongate compartments, the other section being provided with a second elongate body portion and a pair of second flanges extending along the sides of said second body portion and slidably extending into said compartments, with the longitudinal edges of said second flanges slidably contacting said first anges; legs; means pivotally supporting said legs upon said second anges inwardly of said second flanges; means to releasably retain said legs in extended positions with their longitudinal axes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said second body portion; said legs, when collapsed, being axially aligned with the longitudinal axes of said compartments and being slidable into said compartments upon sliding of said second anges therein; neck-supporting means extending from said upper face adjacent said front edge; -brace means adjacent said front edge of said iirst body portion, comprising a cross' brace, carried by said first anges of said first body portion and extending transversely thereof; and means carried by said cross brace for supporting said first body portion upon an edge of a bath tub.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,163,755 Labruzzo June 27, 1939 2,652,300 Graber et al. Sept. 15, 1953 2,807,028 Cavanaugh Sept. Z4, 1957 2,818,585 Campbell Jan. 7, 1958 

